🎙️ Sanctuary Showdowns, Saturated Fats & Ohio on the Brink
Robert and Tom are back for the second Crooked River Cast show of the year, and Ohio wasted no time setting the mood — the first kind-of major snowstorm of the season hit as the guys fired up the mics. From winter weather headaches to national policy shakeups, this episode barrels straight into Trump’s sanctuary city funding crackdown, RFK Jr.’s food fight, ICE activity in Ohio, government fraud, and the slow-motion collapse of familiar Cleveland institutions.
The episode also drops on Tom’s 55th birthday 🎂. Snow on the ground, candles on the cake, and chaos everywhere else — welcome back to Crooked River Cast.
🏛️ Trump Takes Aim at Sanctuary Cities
Federal funding is on the chopping block. Trump announced plans to strip federal funding from sanctuary cities and states starting February 1, escalating the immigration battle nationwide — and potentially hitting Ohio communities hard.
🔗 Source:
Donald Trump ending federal funding for “sanctuary cities” Feb. 1
🧈 RFK Jr. Declares War… on the War on Saturated Fats
Butter might be back! Jr. says new dietary guidelines will finally end the decades-long war on saturated fats, calling out flawed science and corporate food influence. The conversation gets even more interesting with a viral South Park-style spoof laying out the new food pyramid.
Sources:
🔗:New dietary guidelines will ‘end war on saturated fats’: RFK
▶️ YouTube: Watch: RFK Jr. uses South Park spoof to showcase new food pyramid – YouTube
📉 America Sees Net Negative Migration
A first in 50 years. For the first time in half a century, the U.S. experienced net negative migration in 2025 — a seismic shift with massive economic and political implications.
Source:
🔗: Experienced Negative Net Migration in 2025 for the First Time in 50 Years | National Review
🚔 Prepare for More ICE Raids in Ohio
Tension rising statewide. Following an ICE-related shooting and escalating protests, officials warn Ohioans to brace for additional ICE enforcement actions.
Source:
🔗: In the Wake of ICE Shooting, Protests in Ohio, Preparation for More Raids – Cleveland Scene
🧾 Ohio Fraud Update: “Cost of Doing Business”
You paid for it anyway. A response from Governor DeWine’s office raised eyebrows after fraud was brushed off as something the state has “known about for decades.”
Sources:
🔗: Constitutionalist 🇺🇸 on X – Dan Tierney statement on X
🔗: Curt (@wcdispatch) on X
🔗: Lane (@Sober_In_Dublin) on X
🏛️ GOP Members Cross the Line on Obamacare Subsidies
Betrayal or Bipartisanship? Three Ohio Republicans joined Democrats to restore ACA subsidies, igniting backlash from voters who didn’t send them to D.C. for compromise.
Source:
🔗: Ohio Republicans join Democrats to restore Obamacare subsidies
🩺 Moreno Outlines Senate ACA Strategy
Reform withour chaos? Senator Bernie Moreno lays out a plan to cut costs, reduce fraud, and avoid political implosion while reforming ACA subsidies.
🖥️ Norton Data Center Deal Pulled
Ah, Not happening. The controversial Norton data center proposal has officially been withdrawn — raising questions about transparency, infrastructure, and local leadership.
Source:
🔗: Norton data center proposal withdrawn – The Barberton Gazette
🏟️ The IX Center’s Last Dance
End of an era. Cleveland’s IX Center hosts its final shows, marking the end of a landmark venue that defined decades of trade shows, car expos, and home & garden events.
Source:
‘🔗: It’s bittersweet’: IX Center hosts its final set of shows before transition
🚒 Cleveland Fire Chief Gets an Easy Out
Convenient timing. The Cleveland Fire Chief retires amid an investigation tied to a controversial social media post — with plenty of unanswered questions left behind.
Source:
🔗: Cleveland Fire Chief retires amid investigation into social media post
🌟 Good Things
🏈 Hall of Fame Village Moves Forward
Canton keeps building. Canton’s Hall of Fame Village secured a $70M loan to continue development on a new water park and hotel — a big win for Northeast Ohio.
Source:
🔗: Canton’s Hall of Fame Village gets $70M loan for water park, hotel
🎶 Erin Stoll Comes Home
Local talent returns. Erin Stoll brings her Homecoming Tour to Wadsworth with Doug Kleiner, supporting the Wadsworth Square Foundation.
Source:
🔗: Erin Stoll Homecoming Tour with Doug Kleiner – Wadsworth Square Foundation
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